Eoin Morgan was at the centre of a £35,000 blackmail plot over a fling with an Australian woman five years ago.

The England Cricket Board said it had received an email, demanding money be paid or details of Morgan's previous relationship, including videos, would be given to both the UK and Australian press.

It is believed the demand was made in the last 48 hours, asking for £35,000 to be paid before the first ball in Friday's Tri-series clash with Australia.

England's one-day captain Eoin Morgan was the subject of a £35,000 blackmail plot

The ECB received an email demanding money or details of Morgan's past relationship would be revealed

The ECB contacted the Metropolitan Police over the emails, which were traced to an individual in Hobart, Tasmania. ECB officials in Australia the approached the man after discussions with police.

He is the unnamed woman's new boyfriend, and when confronted admitted and apologised for his actions.

'In the last few days, the ECB received an email from an Australian man demanding a five-figure sum to prevent a story about our one-day captain Eoin Morgan appearing in the national newspapers in the UK and Australia,' an ECB spokesman said.

'The allegations related to a brief relationship Eoin had with a woman from Australia five years ago.

Morgan is currently preparing his England team for Friday's Tri-series clash with Australia in Hobart

The England captain spars with Andrew Flintoff at an England practice session in Brisbane last week

'Following liaison with the Metropolitan Police, our support team on the ground in Australia investigated the blackmail.

'This involved approaching the man in question who, when confronted, admitted and apologised for his actions, blaming jealousy (he is presently in a relationship with the woman concerned).'

It is believed the suspect, from Hobart, Tasmania, had discovered an old phone containing details of Morgan's relationship with the woman, and had threatened to reveal its contents.

Morgan's former girlfriend was reportedly shocked to hear of the plot, which she had no involvement in.

The cricketer is currently in a relationship with Tara Ridgway, who is studying law and public relations at Bond University in Australia. The couple are thought to have met during the 2010-11 Ashes series in Australia, which England went on to with 3-1.

The ECB confirmed no further action would be taken against Morgan's would-be blackmailer

Morgan will lead England at the upcoming Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand

No further action is being taken against the would-be blackmailer.

The ECB added in its statement: 'We are wholly focussed on winning cricket matches. This matter has now been brought to a conclusion and we will not be seeking further action against the individual at this stage.'

Paul Downton, the managing director of the England and Wales Cricket Board, said: 'We will not allow anyone to disrupt our team’s preparation or performance in the tri-series and as we build up to the World Cup.

''I am pleased that this issue has now been brought to a swift conclusion.

'At this point we’d like to thank the Metropolitan Police for their advice, which assisted us in dealing with this in the swiftest possible manner.'

MailOnline has contacted the Met Police, Hobart Police and Morgan's agent for comment.